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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

SFR Galaxy Awards for 2017

The Science Fiction Romance Galaxy Awards are out today.  Below is the schedule for the release.  You can follow throughout the day by clicking here. 

https://sfrgalaxyawards.blogspot.com

SFR GALAXY AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT SCHEDULE
For your info, the judging rounds are scheduled as follows:
10:00 AM EST - Round 1, Chris Stock
11:00 AM EST - Round 2, Heather Massey
12:00 PM EST - Round 3, Marlene Harris
1:00 PM EST - Round 4, Riley Moreland
2:00 PM EST - Round 5, Jo Jones
3:00 PM EST - Round 6, Lee Koven
4:00 PM EST - Round 7, Anna McLain  
   

Monday, January 29, 2018

One Too by Sherrie Cronin - Review Tour and Giveaway



One Too
by Sherrie Cronin 

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GENRE: Sci-fi/Fantasy

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BLURB:

Telepathy creates as many problems as it solves, as most of the members of the secret organization x0 would admit. When new member Lola discovers another group of telepaths with a completely different approach, those problems multiply at the speed of thought.

Soon, Lola’s family and friends are in danger. Lucky for her, she’s not your average budding psychic. Each person with whom she is close has a special gift of their own. That’s good, because it’s going to take every power they possess to keep this other group from succeeding with their plan to eradicate x0.

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EXCERPT

Maurice woke up in the trunk of a car. He’d always been a positive sort of guy, so he made himself focus on what was good about the situation. Well, it was a large trunk. It was probably a luxury car. Could have been worse. And, he was the only person in it. Plenty of space and no unpleasant dead bodies lying next to him. He’d seen this sort of thing in the movies, and no dead bodies was always good.

His hands were bound loosely behind his back, but he could wiggle his legs around for comfort and there was no duct tape over his mouth, so breathing was easier. Better yet, it felt like he’d been drugged, presumably in his sleep, and the lingering effects were effusing him with such a nice sense of serenity.

On the down side, the wall that x0 was holding around him was as impermeable as ever. And he was in the trunk of a car. That was definitely a minus. He drifted back to sleep.

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REVIEW:

One Too is complex and full of interesting characters.  The plot is well though out and the action is tension filled.  I loved how each of the characters had special talents that helped drive the story line.  After reading I am not sure I ever want to be a telepath.  It seems that it brings more trouble than rewards.  This is a two book in the series but does stand alone.  

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Sherrie grew up in Western Kansas thinking that there was no place in the universe more fascinating than outer space. After her mother vetoed astronaut as a career ambition, she went on to study journalism and physics in hopes of becoming a science writer.

She published her first science fiction short story long ago, and then waited a lot of tables while she looked for inspiration for the next story. When it finally came,  it declared to her that it had to be whole book, nothing less. One night, while digesting this disturbing piece of news, she drank way too many shots of ouzo with her boyfriend. She woke up thirty-one years later demanding to know what was going on.

The boyfriend, who she had apparently long since married, asked her to calm down and  explained that in a fit of practicality she had gone back to school and gotten a degree in geophysics and had spent the last 28 years interpreting seismic data in the oil industry. The good news, according to Mr. Cronin, was that she had found it at least mildly entertaining and ridiculously well-paying  The bad news was that the two of them had still managed to spend almost all of the money.

Apparently she was now Mrs. Cronin, and the further good news was that they had produced three wonderful children whom they loved dearly, even though to be honest that is where a lot of the money had gone. Even better news was that Mr. Cronin  turned out to be a warm-hearted, encouraging sort who was happy to see her awake and ready to write. "It's about time," were his exact words.

Sherrie Cronin discovered that over the ensuing decades Sally Ride had already managed to become the first woman in space and apparently had done a fine job of it. No one, however, had written the book that had been in Sherrie's head for decades. The only problem was, the book informed her sternly that it had now grown into a six book collection. Sherrie decided that she better start writing it before it got any longer. She's been wide awake ever since, and writing away.

From the Author

Also, for some bizarre reason Kindle has decided my six book series is a two book series. All six books are sold on kindle, so I will check into why this happened and get it fixed. But would you be kind enough to alert remaining reviewers that is it book six (not book two) of six.

Author Social Media Links
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Sherrie will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit the other blogs in the tour:

January 29Mixed Book Bag
January 29Sharing Links and Wisdom
February 5Deal Sharing Aunt
February 5Emily Carrington
February 12Beyond Romance
February 19The Reading Addict

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 186 - Shadow Warrior by Michelle Diener, Emergence by C.J. Cherry

Shadow Warrior (Sky Raiders, #3)Shadow Warrior by Michelle Diener
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very nice ending to the series. There is a lot more danger and adventure for Taya and Garek but they and their friends are up to the task. There is war coming and the enemies have made a pack with the aliens. More aliens show up but are they friends or will they be allies. I enjoyed visiting this interesting world again. Seeing all the Changes that can be called and knowing that Garek can do much more than expected kept the story moving. Taya has to be more of a warrior than she ever expected but she is very strong. Nice to leave as it seems that they will go on to have a much more peaceful life.


EmergenceEmergence by C.J. Cherryh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have followed this series since the very beginning and always enjoy seeing the characters come alive again. Bren is on Mospheira and dealing with more human problems than is his usual. At the same time Tahini's son is facing problems of his own. One thing I love about the series is how the characters grow and change as time passes. This is one to start from the first book to really know and understand the world that has been built over 19 books and keep up with the back story that drives the plot. The characters are many and varied adding to the big picture. The world gets more interesting with each book.

View all my reviews

Friday, January 26, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 185 - Say You're Sorry by Melinda Leigh, Dangerous Minds by Janet Ivanovich

Say You're Sorry (Morgan Dane #1)Say You're Sorry by Melinda Leigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A interesting mystery with some very well developed characters. One girl is missing and one has been murdered. Are the two related? A nice mystery with enough red herrings to keep the plot going. I did think that there were two many points of views and they slowed the story down at times. Other than that it was a five star not four. Morgan is a very strong female character who is getting over the loss of her husband. Ready to go back to work she chooses to defend her neighbor and try to find who really killed Tessa. Lance has issues but now has choices to make. Like Morgan he chooses to find the killer closing a door he had hoped would stay open. The story sets up future books featuring the two. A very good start to a series.

Dangerous Minds (Knight and Moon, #2)Dangerous Minds by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Buddhist monk Wayan Bagus has lost his island so of course he comes to his friend Emerson Knight for help. That starts a fun rump with Emerson, Riley Moon and Emerson's childhood friend Vernon. The plot is outrageous, the dialog snarky, and the danger more fun that serious. Of course there is the chance of destroying the Earth. This is a great group of main characters aided by some equally good secondary characters. A fun series that does not take anything seriously. I listened to the audio book and the reader had everything down pat making the story even more fun. I had a lot of laughs out loud moments.

View all my reviews

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 184 - Judgment Road by Christine Feehan, Lies That Comfort and Betray by Rosemary Simpson

Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink #1)Judgment Road by Christine Feehan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anya Rafferty is the perfect match for Reaper. It is just going to take both time to get everything right. There are secrets on both sides. Both Anya And Reaper are interesting characters with Reaper having a past that is very hard to get over. I meet the Torpedo Ink crew in the last book of the last series and wondered how any of them were ever going to find an HEA. Turn out it will not be easy. Add a danger to the club in the mix and you have tension, danger, and a very fast paced and interesting story. Love how Reaper was the first for I through he would be the very last to find someone he could trust.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Lies That Comfort and Betray (A Gilded Age Mystery #2)Lies That Comfort and Betray by Rosemary Simpson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in the late 1800's Lies That Comfort and Betray shine a light on how different our justice system is from that in our not so distant past. Prudence MacKenzie is a heiress and a partner with attorney Geoffrey Hunter in an investigation firm. When girls turn up murdered the two try to find the killer. What emerges is a story that is set in both the high society of the time and the underbelly that is also part of the times. This is a story with a lot of twists and turns. Justice is slow to happen and in the end is taken into the hands of one man who suffers a life altering event. I enjoyed the story but did wish I had read the first book in the series. Prudence is a woman out of her time and the events that made her change happened in the first book. There are several interesting characters who seem to be set up as continuing. Blossom the dog is the most interesting.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

For This Moment by Holly Bush - Book Blast and Giveaway




For This Moment
by Holly Bush

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GENRE: Historical Romance

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BLURB:

For This Moment

1871 Born to privilege and duty, Olivia Gentry comes of age as women begin to find their social and political independence. The youngest child, and only daughter, of a successful Virginia horse breeding family, she has been raised and educated to carry on the family business with her brothers. Having been deceived in love as a young woman and unsure of her instincts, she is wary to commit to a marriage, but she cannot deny her long-buried feelings for a family friend.

Jim Somerset has been in love with Olivia Gentry from the moment she gazed up at him as a young girl. A farrier by trade like his father before him, he and his business’s future are inexorably entwined with the Gentry family. He has watched her be courted by statesmen, and considers her and her goals out of the reach of a common workman.  But he is fearful that he will never purge Olivia from his mind and his heart. Has the moment come for him to reveal his passions for her? Find out in the third installment of the Gentrys of Paradise.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Holly Bush writes historical romance set in the U.S.in the late 1800’s, in Victorian England, and and occasional Women’s Fiction title. Her books are described as emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance. She makes her home with her husband in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com and on Twitter @hollybushbooks and on Facebook at Holly Bush (https://www.facebook.com/hollybushbooks/)




Links:
@hollybushbooks


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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Holly will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Wraith by Gwenan Haines - Review Tour and Giveaway


Wraith
by Gwenan Haines

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GENRE:   fantasy

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BLURB:

Sixteen years ago, Kira Chiklak’s mother promised her a miracle on Christmas morning. Instead, she woke to the news her brother was gone forever. The Alaskan pilot’s dreams have always told her the future but have never revealed the secrets of her past.

Now Kira’s dreams are warning her another child in Amarok is in danger of meeting the same fate as her brother. As Kira races to save Annie Michaels’ life she comes to believe her past and Annie’s future are inextricably linked.

The last thing Hunter Jackson expects to do during Spring Break is unravel a mystery. When Kira asks for his assistance, he can’t refuse her request. But can he help her protect Annie when his own heart is at risk?


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EXCERPT

Sometimes I wonder how things would have turned out if I hadn’t. If I’d kept my nose buried in that menu in search of a dish Icouldn’t pronounce. But I didn’t. I looked up and saw Annie hanging onto the banister as she descended the stairs that led to the Michaels’ apartment. She clung to the hand of a girl I guessed was her babysitter as the two of them made their way across the room toward the kitchen. Annie wore a pink fleece footie sleeper and her auburn hair hung loose around her face. I think that’s what pushed me over the edge. She looked so damn
innocent. I pushed my chair back from the table and grabbed the wolf hat out of my jacket pocket.

Hunter’s eyes darkened. “What are you doing?”

“Be right back.”

“Kira, don’t.”

“I have to. I’m sorry.”

Before I could stop myself, I stood up and set off after Annie and the babysitter. They were waiting outside the kitchen doors. Annie was staring at the doors as if she were waiting for her mom to breeze through them, like she always did. The babysitter’s eyes flitted across the restaurant, looking for people she recognized. Then she turned back toward Annie and smiled down at her.

Liv appeared just as I reached Annie and the sitter. Her eyes locked onto mine and even Annie could read the warning there. Stay away from my child.

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REVIEW: 

This has it all.  Wraith has mystery, suspense, action, tension, adventure and romance.  It starts off slowly but soon gathers speed.  I liked the setting.  Alaska is the home of the bush pilot and the author makes good use of planes and flying.  The world building was very good and the plot held up through out the story.  It will be interesting to see what else happens in the Shadow World as the series continues. 
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Gwenan Haines lives in New England with her daughter and a Siberian husky born on Halloween. She’s been hooked on suspense ever since her mom read her an old Nancy Drew mystery when she was five years old. She also loves romance and fantasy. Her paranormal novella, WRAITH, and novel, SHIFT, the first two installments in the SHADOW WORLD series, are under contract with Wild Rose Press's fantasy line. When she’s not plotting her newest mystery, she teaches community college and writes lots of poetry.

Blog
Amazon Author Page
Facebook

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Gwenan Haines will be awarding $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit the other blogs on the tour for additional chances to win:

January 2Sharing Links and Wisdom
January 2Red Hatter Book Blog
January 9The Book Garden
January 9Jazzy Book Reviews
January 9books are love
January 16Locks, Hooks and Books
January 16Kit 'N Kabookle
January 16Travel the Ages
January 23Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews
January 23Mixed Book Bag
January 23Fabulous and Brunette

Monday, January 22, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 183 - His Sinful Touch by Candace Camp, Interference and Insurgency by Michelle Diener

His Sinful Touch (The Mad Morelands, #5)His Sinful Touch by Candace Camp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A perfect fit for the Mad Morelands. Sabrina shows up at Alexander Moreland's office dressed as a man, does not remember her name or her past, and knows she is running for someone. Of course, Alexander takes her to stay with his family who join with Alex to help her find the answers she needs. This is a fun rump with all of the Morelands adding to the fun. Sabrina and Alex are great together and so another Moreland finds his HEA.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Interference & InsurgencyInterference & Insurgency by Michelle Diener
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read Interference in the Orphans in the Black Anthology and loved the world building, backstory, plot and character development. Insurgency takes all of that to a higher level. Both had tension filled story lines that fit their titles. There is interference in one and insurgents in the other. The backstory is fleshed out more in Insurgency. Both are full of danger and wonderful characters. This is a lead up to a new series by Diener. What I love about her SFR books are the very different worlds she builds while telling her stories. The Verdant String is a new unique and interesting setting for stories. These two are rather short but a full length novel set in the Verdant String is due out in June. I am looking forward to more adventures in this new setting.

View all my reviews

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 182 - Beyond Danger by Kat Martin, The Alpha's Mate by Eve Langlais

Beyond Danger (The Texas Trilogy)Beyond Danger by Kat Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another exciting story in The Texas Trilogy. Beau and Cassidy start out on the wrong foot but have to start working together when Stewart, Beau's Father is killed. Seems something just does not make sense. There does not seem to be a reason for the murder. Stewart is a wheeler dealer who has made some enemies but all of the obvious ones are cleared. There is a exciting twist to the story line. Martin builds a large amount of tension as the plot continues to develop. Beau and Cassidy are both interesting and well developed characters. Fast paced and hard to put down are both qualities in Beyond Danger.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


The Alpha's Mate (Fabian Garoux #3)The Alpha's Mate by Eve Langlais
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A short and fun read in the Eve Langlois tradition. Fabian just does not know what to do with the woman he saved and she does know who she is. That does not keep her from letting him know she is not a push over. It was great watching Fabian try to protect her while she tries to do her own thing. Add in the fact that she is his mate and you have almost more fun than you can stand.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Friday, January 19, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 181 - Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds, Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery

Elysium Fire (Prefect Dreyfus Emergency, #2)Elysium Fire by Alastair Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Prefect Tom Dreyfus is at the heart of this story. This is listed as Perfect Dreyfus Emergency #2. I did not read #1 but had no trouble following the story. I loved the world building. The Gilder Ring is made up of ten thousand city-state habitats that orbit the planet Yellowstone. On the surface is a large city under a lifesaving dome. This is a perfect world with a perfect democracy but something is going wrong. People are dying and the number is increasing. Drefus is the one who must find out who is next and why. This is a mystery with the solution found in both the present and the past. I loved the story, wished I had more of the back story from book one, and through the characters were as impressive as the plot.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.


Sisters Like Us (Mischief Bay, #4)Sisters Like Us by Susan Mallery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is trademark Susan Mallery. The likable female characters span the age from teenage to very mature adults. The males come in several varieties. Some are just plain horrible, some are almost too good to be true, and some are in-between. The plot runs from teenage betrayals to reformed playboys with the life and relationship between the two sisters always at the heart of the story. One of the sisters seemed very familiar and I finally realized she was very like another very smart but socially clue less character from one of the Fool's Gold stories. She made for a lot of fun in many of the scenes as she did not realize the impact she was having on others. Like all of Mallory's stories this was a fun book to read.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

View all my reviews

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

The Exiled Otherkin by D. Lieber - Virtual Tour and Giveaway



The Exiled Otherkin
by D. Lieber

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GENRE: Fantasy Romance

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BLURB:

Exiled from Faerie when her father dies, half-Fae Ember is surprised by how much the human realm has changed since she was there last. She takes a dangerous job on a merchant airship, hoping a life on the move will keep her well-hidden. Sure, she misses her brother, but years of apathy have numbed her emotions.
When the optimistic and naïve Reilley follows her, it’s annoying to say the least. But when she starts feeling responsible for him, long-stifled emotions crack the ice around her heart.
Faeries, pirates, and traveling players meet in this steampunk fantasy adventure as Ember tries to cope with feelings long forgotten and a past that pursues her.

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EXCERPT

I scanned the crowd, but there was no sign of them. My stomach lurched, and I swallowed my panic. I moved as quickly as I could to the place where Reilley had just stood.

To the right was a dim alley with curtained doors lining the sides. I shot into the shady street.

“Reilley?” I called and received no answer.

Up ahead, a curtain covered the light that spilled into the alley. I rushed for that doorway. Ripping open the curtain, I lunged inside.

In the small room, two men sat on crates playing cards on a box in between them. They looked up as I entered.

“Where is he?”

Neither responded as they returned to their game. I spotted a door at the back of the room and barreled toward it. The two men moved to stop me.

“I don’t have time for this,” I told them as they blocked my way.

The one closest to the door I wanted to get through crossed his thick arms over his chest and lifted his chin, looking down at me with a smirk. His wirier friend stepped toward me and pointed the way I’d come.

“This party is closed,” he said with a heavy accent. “If you don’t have an invitation, leave.”

“I just need to get my friend. Then, I’ll leave.”

He shook his head and grabbed my upper arm to escort me out. “You will leave now.”

I rotated my elbow and broke his grip then pulled back and drove the heel of my hand into his nose.

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I asked D. were she would go for inspiration and here are her answers.

Almost every place I have ever been outside the USA has influenced my writing, especially in The Exiled Otherkin because the characters travel a lot. Among others, they go to London, Paris, Strasbourg, and Rome, all places I have been.

I have only traveled once with the purpose of researching/experiencing a place specifically for writing, and that was Alberta, Canada. It was truly inspirational, and I can’t wait to start the novel set there.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

D. writes stories she wants to read. Her love of the worlds of fiction led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.

When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, crafting, watching anime, Korean television, Bollywood, or old movies. She may also be getting her geek on while planning her next steampunk cosplay with friends.

She lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John), retired guide dog (Samwise), and cat (Yin).

Links
Website: www.dlieber.com
Google+: www.google.com/+DLieber    
Book Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zM2fewELAj0


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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

D. Lieber will be awarding a fancy homemade bookmark (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 180, Texas-Sized Trouble by Delores Fossen, Lucky in Love by Carolyn Brown

Texas-Sized Trouble (Wrangler's Creek #4)Texas-Sized Trouble by Delores Fossen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lawson Granger and Eve Cooper were teenaged sweethearts but that all ended when a good friend died of alcohol poisoning on a night when they were all together. Sure Lawson and Eve were upstairs and the friend downstairs but that death still haunts both. Now Eve has returned and old feeling are coming back up. This is a nice story with some interesting twists. There are two children involved, one a baby and one a teenager. It was fun to watch how everything turned out.

After finishing the story I found a really fun novella was at the back of the book. This one was fun and had some very nice characters. A good bonus.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

Lucky in Love (Lucky, #1)Lucky in Love by Carolyn Brown
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Beau Luckadeau and Milli Torres have a history but Beau does not remember what that history is. This is a second chance story full of humor and romance. It was fun watching Beau make a very big mistake with his love life. Also fun seeing Millie get the better of him time after time. A fun story that was also fun to listen too. I like Brian Hutchinson's voice when he reads an audio book.

View all my reviews

Sunday, January 14, 2018

Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 179 - Hunted by the Cyborg by Cara Bristol, A Cowboy's Kiss by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Hunted by the Cyborg (Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance #6)Hunted by the Cyborg by Cara Bristol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a mystery and an enigma all wrapped up in a great story. Carter Aymes wants to find and destroy Lamani, the alien terrorist mastermind. Lamani is just on the brink of realizing the final steps of a years long plot. Beth O’Shea is part of that plot. Both Carter and Beth are great characters. Beth is strong and working hard to make a life for herself. Carter is attracted but doubtful. There are plenty of twists and turns in the story. I had a hard time putting this down as the plot continued to unfold. A very nice addition to the series.

I received a free copy from the author in return for an honest review.


A Cowboy's Kiss (The McGavin Brothers Book 7)A Cowboy's Kiss by Vicki Lewis Thompson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a nice sweet story with likable characters. Both Luke Bennett and Abigail Summers have appeared in previous books as side characters. They get their story while sharing it with a very cute four legged heart stealer. Delilah steals the show and provides some of the tension in the story. Found on the side of the road both Luke and Abigail hope that they can keep her. The other cause of tension; Abigail's love of baking but dislike of paperwork. Will they keep Delilah and will Abigail keep her bakery open. Read to find out.

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